Week 8 Discussion – Elementary Curricula

After completing this week’s readings, respond to the following questions.

The Case Study in Curriculum Implementation (A Pilot Study of a Kindergarten Summer School Reading Program in High-Poverty Urban Schools) presents some excellent information about summer learning. This reading indicates that research on this topic has produced mixed results.

As you read the section on the “Effects of Summer School Programs,” (see attached) compare it with the article titled “Summer Reading Loss: What it is and what can we do about it?” (link). Where do you find some contradictions about the effectiveness of summer school reading programs in the two articles?

They both agree that middle-class students seem to benefit more from summer reading programs than their lower-SES peers.

• Did that surprise you?
• What might be the reason for this conclusion?
• How would you challenge teachers to “break out of that mold” to show better results for those students who are classified as low SES?
• Do we always have to be satisfied with the idea that children in the low SES column will automatically not be able to perform?
• Why do you think that idea has become almost common practice?

Link: https://www.brookings.edu/research/summer-learning-loss-what-is-it-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/ 

Your initial responses are due by 11:55 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday and should be between 200-250 words. The initial posting should be a statement of your point of view on the question, supported by the required readings. iin